Thursday, September 15, 2011

Dennis Trudell of Madison pores through hundreds upon hundreds of VHS tapes on sale at the Madison Public Library's Central Library in Madison, Wis., Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 14, 2011. Trudell, who bought five tapes, said he collects them and has a couple thousand at home. "My basement's like a video store," Trudell said.

Wisconsin
Badgers wide receiver Nick Toon (1) catches a pass in the endzone for a
touchdown over Oregon State Beavers cornerback Rashaad Reynolds (16) in
the second quarter. The touchdown brought the score to 13-0.

Wisconsin Badgers defensive tackle Patrick Butrym (95) disrupts the throw of Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) late in the second quarter.

Wisconsin Badgers running back Montee Ball (28) and running back Bradie Ewing (34) celebrate Ball's touchdown in the third quarter. The touchdown and extra point made the score 28-0.

Wisconsin Badgers defensive end David Gilbert (11) puts pressure from the blind side of Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) in the third quarter.

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Mike and Linda Hellenbrand left New York City (and their successful careers there) after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and relocated to nearby Cross Plains to start a high-genetic-value cattle breeding business.

City Slickers Farm's sign shows a scene of the New York City skyline in Cross Plains, Wis., Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 7, 2011.

Month- to two-month-old calves at City Slickers Farm in Cross Plains.

Veterinarian Dr. Mike Keiler prepares to perform ultrasounds on surrogates to determine the sex of the calves they're carrying.

Norm, a cat at City Slickers Farm known for being friendly with the cows, gets sniffed.

Linda and Mike Hellenbrand.

City Slickers Farm raises a variety of cattle breeds.

A newborn guernsey calf is transported to a nursery area by Mike Hellenbrand, center, and Daniel Brunner.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

When you hear the word, "start-up" these days, it's usually in the context of technology.

But you better start thinking, "butter."

Al Bekkum is a world class cheesemaker who found that butter would be his niche. He and his family just started a butter-making – and butter-making only – operation on their family farm in the heart of Wisconsin's "dairyland" near Westby. It's the first of its kind in the state.

For a couple years, Bekkum – on a weekly basis – drove two-hours east to Columbus to make 50-75 pound batches of butter at Sassy Cow Creamery. No longer. His new production center and store on the farm will keep him home more. That means more time with his wife and their six children. It will let them raise their own herd of cows.

Spend a little time with the Bekkums and you'll sense something special brewing: a true family business. It would be great to get out to the farm in the winter to continue documenting the family doing their first milking.

A family photograph of the Bekkum family sits in a windowsill of their store during a grand opening at Nordic Creamery near Westby, Wis., Friday, Aug. 19, 2011.

Torger, left, and Dusty Bekkum, 13 and 11, respectively, sons of Al and Sarah Bekkum, handle Rose, a pony, during the grand opening of Nordic Creamery's store. In the background is the family border collie, Biscuit.

Workers behind the counter wore novelty t-shirts during the opening.

Al Bekkum wraps up an interview with a local television station in his butter production area.